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TalkTalk, the fixed-line phone service of mobile phone retailer Carphone Warehouse Group Plc, said its Irish and British customers could now call each other for free in its first zero-cost international offer.

Customers in the UK and Ireland with TalkTalk, which claims more than 1 million customers in Britain, will be able to make unlimited free calls at any time -- forever.

"Ireland is estimated to spend around 600 million euros ($731.3 million) per year on landline phone bills," Carphone Chief Executive Charles Dunstone said.

"Even conservative estimates say that there are more than half a million Irish-born people living in the UK, with several million more having an Irish parent or grandparent. These people can now keep in touch with families and friends back home for free."

Carphone, which also offers its TalkTalk service in France, Spain, Germany, Switzerland and Belgium, said it was hoping to extend its international free calling.

TalkTalk, which has won a reputation for aggressive UK marketing as it builds market share in one of the Europe's most competitive markets, has promised to give customers 1,000 pounds ($1,767) if phone bills are not cheaper than those of the UK's dominant fixed-line supplier, BT Group Plc.